Steamboat Models Exhibit Opens June 15

Just in time for Winona’s Steamboat Days (June 15 – 19), the Winona County Historical Society is opening a new exhibit that spotlights over a dozen steamboat models of the paddle wheelers that once were vital for the movement of goods, news and people in the pioneer cities along the mighty Mississippi and its connecting river systems. The exhibit will open to the public Wednesday, June 15 with a WCHS member preview reception Tuesday, June 14 from 5 -7 p.m.

The exhibit also will feature some items that were once part of the Wilkie Steamboat Museum, including a bust of Robert Fulton and original letters. Stories of steamboat captains and photographs from the Ralph DuPae Steamboat Photograph Collection will also be on exhibit. Steamboat Days was founded because our our rich river heritage and a complete collection of Steamboat Days buttons and images from past Steamboat Days will be on exhibit with the festival’s history.

Family activities will be offered from 9 -5 p.m. on June 15 for the opening. Families of all ages can make their own paper boat after exploring the steamboat exhibit or they can make their own Winona postcard after exploring the other new exhibit at the History Center, Minnesota on the Map, a traveling exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society. These fun family crafts are free with museum admission!

The steamboat models featured in the exhibit were recently restored by Fred Beseler of LaCrosse, WI. He will be giving a program about the models and their makers and will tell some tales of the real steamers themselves on June 21 at 7 p.m. at the History Center. This program is free and open to the public.

The Winona County History Center is located at 160 Johnson St, just three blocks from the Steamboat Days festivities downtown. Plan your visit at www.winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723 for more information. The Winona County Historical Society can also be found on Facebook.